Do what you oughta out on the water plead Waikato Police

Do what you oughta when out on the
water is the message from Waikato Police after emergency
services dealt with five separate water rescues
yesterday.

Waikato Shift Supervisor, Senior Sergeant Dave
Litton, said the first job came in at Raglan's boat ramp at
Manu Bay about 9.20am when a 12-15 foot boat capsized in
rough conditions putting three people into the water.

"All
three people, who were all wearing life jackets, were able
to swim to shore and a number of surfers in the water at the
time ensured they made it safely.

"The trio were treated
on the shore by attending ambulance staff for cuts and
bruises."

Mr Litton said the next water rescue took place
at Pauanui about 2.20pm and involved a large boat that lost
power to its engine and was reported to be on fire and
taking on water.

"There were four people aboard the vessel
which was about 500m off shore. Fortunately it was well
equipped with life jackets and communications equipment and
the occupants abandoned ship into a dingy after raising the
alarm both by cell-phone and radio

"In a response
coordinated by Police Search and Rescue, the Coastguard,
local surf club and volunteer fire brigade all responded and
the fire was able to be contained and the boat was able to
make it to shore shadowed by a Coastguard vessel."

Mr
Litton said the Pauanui incident highlighted the importance
of having the means to communicate with emergency services
should your vessel get into difficulty.

"Later jobs
included responding to ambulance staff requiring assistance
at Raglan's Ocean Beach about 3pm where an overseas tourist
pulled an Asian man out of the surf who had gotten into
difficulty in a rip after rescuing two children, including
his own son, from the water.

"The man was semi-conscious
when emergency services arrived and the beach was cleared to
allow a helicopter to land and take him to Waikato Hospital
in a status two condition. This incident highlights the
importance of swimming between the flags and the excellent
work done by the overseas visitor."

At about 4pm
fire-fighters were called to assist a man in a homemade boat
who got into difficulty on Tairua Harbour when he got his
leg trapped in his wooden boat.

"The man had asked for
fire-fighters to bring a chainsaw and his boat was assisted
to shore where the man was freed."

Mr Litton said while
each of these jobs had successful conclusions a major
inter-agency response to reports of a missing Australian
tourist out in a boat off Colville left responders
scratching their heads in frustration

"This man left
Otautu Wharf in a 7ft aluminium dingy that was equipped with
oars but no motor about 11.40am. At the time there was a 20
knot north westerly wind and a 1m northerly swell.

"Though
wearing a life jacket the man had not told anyone where he
was going or when he would return and he had no
communication equipment. After he had been gone about three
hours his family became concerned and raised the
alarm."

Mr Litton said in response the Coastguard launched
a fixed wing aircraft from Auckland while the Police's Eagle
Helicopter was also called in to assist while two Coastguard
vessels were put on standby.

"The man was located by the
Eagle Helicopter sun bathing on a beach at Tiriteka Point, a
bay north of Otautu Wharf and told the crew he was waiting
for the tide to lift before returning.

"If this man had
only told other people where he was going and had a
cell-phone with him the valuable time and resources deployed
in the search for him would not have been wasted."

Mr
Litton said he urged people intending to enjoy recreation
out on Waikato waters to take some simple steps to protect
themselves and avoid first responders being called out
needlessly.

• if going swimming at the beach, swim at
beaches patrolled by life guards and swim between the
flags

• when boating, ensure your boat is equipped for
the conditions, that there are life jackets for all
occupants and that they wear them

• carry at least two
forms of communication which should include a cell-phone, a
hand held VHF radio on channel 16 or distress beacons
including PLBs (personal locator beacons) or EPIRBs
(emergency position-indicating radio beacons)

• tell
people when and where you are going , when you should be
returning and when the alarm should be raised should you not
return

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